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Only one of the guys you mentioned has ever fought above 160 lbs and that's Hopkins, who lost his first fight at Light Heavy and moved down in weight and has since then had two fights at light heavy, so has basically been a middleweight ever since. Calzaghe ducking Duddy? Calzaghe ducking De la Hoya? This has to be a wind-up.
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how can any boxer be a fraud?Comment
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Well according to this article from "HBO Boxing", Calzaghe hasn't ducked anybody. Here it is with irrelevant portions deleted:
JOE CALZAGHE
updated November 03, 2007
Elite fighter Joe Calzaghe will defend his WBO World Super Middleweight title for a record-tying 21st consecutive time on November 3 against his WBA/WBC counterpart Mikkel Kessler.
The super-fight will take place at the magnificent Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, in front of an estimated 60,000 gate. The world record indoor attendance for a fight - 63,500 - is under threat in the biggest show to be held in the UK for decades.
"This is the only fight I want because a victory over Kessler will mean the most to my career at this point," said Calzaghe. "It will mean more than the beating I gave Jeff Lacy when we unified our titles, and even more than my win over Chris Eubank, which began my world title reign 10 years ago. I'm No. 1 in the division today and I'll be No. 1 in the division after we fight. November 3 can't come quick enough."
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After a sensational amateur career that included three consecutive ABA titles, each at different weights, Calzaghe looked a sure bet to rule the world when he first turned professional in 1993 - and four years later he fulfilled his dream.
On October 11, 1997, Joe faced his moment of truth on 'The Full Monty' card in Sheffield. That night he faced British boxing legend Chris Eubank for the vacant WBO super-middleweight championship.
Taking part in his 22nd WBO world title fight, Eubank obviously had the experience over his untested southpaw rival.
What Chris did not have, however, was the youth, speed and fitness of his opponent, and it showed.
Eubank was unceremoniously dumped on the canvas in the first round, and after 12 ferocious rounds, Calzaghe was declared the new champion. Calzaghe's concussive fists had ushered in a glorious new era in Welsh boxing.
Since that night, in Sheffield, Calzaghe has made a staggering 20 defences and has extended his winning run to 43 fights with 32 early finishes. His world title reign will celebrate its 10th year on October 11.
He is now the current longest-reigning world champion in boxing, and he has also picked up an MBE for his services to the sport. His ultimate target is Joe Louis' record 25 consecutive world title defences, and he wouldn't mind equaling Rocky Marciano's 49-0 slate.
"Surpassing Holmes and Hopkins and tying Ottke means a lot to me and it's a great incentive to train hard for this fight," said Calzaghe. "But let's forget about Louis. I don't know if I want to take his record, he's a legend."
Among the highlights of his near 10 years as a world champion are hard-fought wins over big British rivals Robin Reid and Richie Woodhall, wars with Omar Sheika, Byron Mitchell and Charles Brewer and masterclasses against Mario Veit and Mger Mkrtchian.
In the Mitchell fight, Calzaghe found himself on the floor for the first time as an amateur or professional, but rose from the canvas to sensationally stop his American opponent in the same round.
Kabary Salem also had Calzaghe down, but apart from those two blips, his chin has proved resolute.
Sheika couldn't budge him as the two went toe-to-toe at Wembley, while Brewer hit him with everything bar the kitchen sink but still couldn't make a dent.
Even when the odds have been stacked against him Joe has found a way to win - in May 2005 he was forced to travel to Germany after Veit's backers bid more than £1million for a WBO world title defence.
Once there though Calzaghe concluded the business in just six rounds.
With his lightening fast hand-speed and power punching, plus his awkward southpaw stance, it is easy to understand why the so called elite American fighters are reluctant to face Calzaghe.
Americans like Roy Jones Jr, Antonio Tarver, Jermain Taylor and Hopkins have made unrealistic financial demands when offered fights, while Clinton Woods has also turned down more-than generous offers.
A father of three, Calzaghe is proud of his Italian roots and regularly holidays in the country where his father/trainer Enzo was born.
Calzaghe has trained with his dad since the day he went professional, and the gym also boasts interim WBO World Cruiserweight king Enzo Maccarinelli, Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Bradley Pryce plus prospects Gavin Rees, Nathan Cleverley and Kerry Hope.
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I guess this responds sufficiently to put this thread to rest.Comment
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"Europe is the mecca of boxing"
LOL. WOW. Boxing is to global a sport to call any one region the "mecca".
And no, Calzaghe is not the biggest fraud in boxing history. He is a great fighter.
But prime Jones I think would have beaten Calzaghe IMHO.Comment
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Chris Eubank
Robin Reid
Omar Sheika
Richie Woodhall
Mario Veit
Charles Brewer
Byron Mitchell
Jeff Lacy
Sakio Bika
Peter Manfredo Jr
Mikkel Kessler
No Pr. No First Name Last Name NatAgeTitles Last six fights ActiveRecordKO'sStpRdsVs. Top 501 1 JOE CALZAGHE GB 35 WBO W W W W W W 4-07 43-0 32 0 12 22-0 Comment
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The moment you said Shane Mosley I stopped reading, there was no point in continuing.Comment
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How concrete is your evidence that Jones ever juiced Wiley? Is it based of some more he said she said bull****?
Im not trying to change your mind about who would win this fight. And your not going to change mine.
What conclusive proof do you have that Jones was shooting up?Comment
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